Looking at it a bit more closely (and remembering things better), the surrounding
shots are actually all from his 97 release, too. But the sequence in question just
happens to be unmodified from his 97 version. So, there shouldn’t really be a
difference in sharpness that needs to be corrected for those specific shots.
So are you saying that all of the Luke/Ben shots, from when Luke meets Ben to the shots inside his hut, are from 97SE? Or are you talking about a shorter part of that. The part that looks “different” to me from the rest is just from approximately the C3PO arm to the end of that scene right before the exterior of the hut (i.e. 00:31:45 to 00:32:13). The part from 00:30:11 (and before that as well) to 00:31:45 looks like 2.5 in terms of sharpness. It makes sense to my eye if 00:30:11 to 00:31:45 or so is from 2.5, whereas just after that is from 97SE. If otherwise (i.e. if you are saying all of 00:30:11 to 00:32:13 is from 97SE), then I am not sure what could be happening.
Note that where I really see the difference is in Ben’s beard, like at 00:32:02.
Which also partially answers your other question. The Blu-ray could be used,
but I thought Harmy’s take on it looked good.
So you mean 2.5 when you say Harmy’s take, right?
If there’s an issue with the 97 edit, it’s either specific to those few shots or
you’re only noticing it there. An enormous chunk of 2.7 uses the 97 edit,
more than just a shot here or there. Seems more likely to be something notable about 2.5.
I’ll see if I notice any other sections where there’s a shift from sharper to softer…